Heather Lake, Mt. Baker National Forest-Snoqualmie Trip Report
June 11, 2006
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John Munyan
126 Review(s) to Date
John is an avid hiker, spending a goodly portion of his time up in the hills, or sitting in front of a computer.
Either way, most of what finds his eye is green, or blue, - organic, or lcd. John likes this website, hopes you do too, and invites you to write a review of a couple hikes you've done!
Directions: From the Everett area, take State Route 92 through Granite Falls. Continue straight ahead, down Stanley St, and turn left at the stop sign (by the car wash). Go straight through the next stop (now on the Mountain Loop Highway). Continue down Mountain Loop several miles until you go over the pale blue bridge. Immediately after the pale blue bridge, turn right. It is clearly labeled Mt Pilchuck. Follow the well used road 1 mile and look for a bunch of cars on pulled off to the side of the road.
Trail Notes: Last week I saw this hike and thought what the heck for the sake of adding to the hikes I have done would give it a try though I knew it wouldn't be too difficult. The hike lived up to my expectations and wasn't too bad, but overall if I had to describe the hike in one word it would be 'muggy'.
So the trail itself starts off in second growth with a pretty full canopy. There is quite a bit of evidence that there was old growth here not so long ago - the notches are still visible in the giant tree stump where loggers put planks to stand as they cut down these giants. That was then, this is now the trees are much smaller and you are only left to wonder what things might have looked like a hundred years ago.
The trail is generally pretty gentle and becomes progressively more steep as you continue along. After about 15 minutes or so you make your way to a long abandoned logging road which shortly thereafter turns into a trail. It is at this point that the trees become much older with some goodly sized old growth thrown in - mostly Western Red Cedar. The trail also becomes more rocky and muddy. At the moment the entire trail from here is mostly mud, with roots and rocks. Not really too much of a surprise given that the snow is just melting and well...turns into mud.
As the trail continues up I notice the air becoming warmer and more humid. So humid it had that balmy swath won't evaporate sort of feel...and I wore my big boots and heavy socks. What was I thinking? 
The trail slogs on for about another 30 minutes or so and then levels out as one gains the valley of the cirque lake which is Heather Lake. When you get to the lake be sure to walk along the boardwalk so you can see all sides of the lake. It isn't really that the view is so great, but what the heck. Also be advised that there are quite a few people on the trail and at the lake. There are many dogs, on and off leash - mostly off, and many little kids. So if you have dogs and/or kids - I highly recommend this hike. I would recommend leaving in the early morning for this one, at least until the moisture has burned off. And lastly this hike is also very much like Annette Lake so if you liked that you will like this one.
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What a beautiful hike
Reviewed By: Dan Storm on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 @ 03:09:49 PM
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Some hikes are beautiful along the way, and some have the big payoff at the end. This has both. There is great variety to the flora and scenery, and the lake at the end, nestled as it is, is gorgeous. I agree with the others that this is a two-star in difficulty. By comparison it is far less steep than Mt Si.I would recommend it for those who do not hike often or have company visiting.
Just a quick note to say that this is definitely NOT a runner's trail. Many rocks and roots along the way. You have to watch your footing. And as the others have noted, bring boots as the trail is muddy in places.
first timer
Reviewed By: coty on Thursday, July 16, 2009 @ 08:45:05 PM
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Nice first hike in washington. great veiw at the top and beutifull cenery on the way up. Took my wife, 3 year old son, and 2 dogs. we all enjoed it. definatly go during the week. the weekends get crowded.
November 2008
Reviewed By: AR on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 @ 11:10:26 PM
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Did this hike in November. Great short hike, some cool old trees and the lake setting is peaceful and looks to have some great swimming holes.
Somewhat busy along the trail, didn't really see anyone at the top near the lake.
Loved It!
Reviewed By: Margaret on Sunday, August 10, 2008 @ 05:39:02 PM
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What a great little hike! I had been told by others before I went that the trail was "so steep," so I was prepared for something really strenuous. But it turned out to not be bad at all, although a fairly steady incline. It is very muddy and snowy near the top, so we did a lot of creative puddle-dodging. But the view of the lake was totally worth it. There are a ton of little waterfalls cascading towards the lake from snowmelt above. As someone else mentioned, there was an avalanche so you can't take the trail all the way around the lake, but that didn't stop us! We had a great time climbing on the snow and rocks and discovered a waterfall in a cleft that you can't see from below. The snow would've been super fun with a plastic sled, but probably also kind of dangerous.
Easy like sunday morning.
Reviewed By: mafortner on Friday, August 8, 2008 @ 10:52:28 AM
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I did this hike on May 4th, 2008. Being from Arizona, I don't quite understand the concept of snow yet. So it was a little early to get out on this trail without snow shoes. Our group pressed on anyway after meeting snow about 1/2 mile in. Although the squishey wet stuff was annoying, the view of the lake in front of the peaks was spectacular! If it wasn't covered with snow then I'd say it would be a very easy hike with a nice view. Good for kids and dogs.
Great warmup hike
Reviewed By: Jim on Friday, July 11, 2008 @ 01:45:30 PM
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Hiked into the lake yesterday. Still deep snow before you get to and around the lake. Wear boots.
There has been yet another snow avalanche on the far side of the lake and the trail on that side may be damaged yet again. I suspect it will be a long time before it melts out in any event.
This is one of the hikes I start out the season of hiking with almost every year. It's short but a decent workout if you are not in great shape. A trip around the lake adds perhaps another mile to the hike. The high cliffs above are awesome. Not as good scenery-wise but very much like Lake 22 in appearance, which puts this hike in the much better than average category.
Family Fun!
Reviewed By: Flymasons on Sunday, June 29, 2008 @ 11:28:59 PM
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What a great hike! A first time hike for our children - 3 and 5 yrs old. It was pretty rough for them, although I was the one who fell on the way down (with the 3 yr old on my back) and banged up my shin pretty good. For the adults - an easy and fun climb. Slippery through the water and mud, as well as the snow - but so beautiful along the way - and most spectacular at the end. We just stopped for a bit at the lake and looked around, but had to keep the dogs from going too far for fear they'd end up in the lake while bounding through the snow. The waterfalls are numerous, the color of the water and snow/melting is awesome - and we felt like we were tranported in time to another place. Definitely a recommended climb - ENJOY!
A nice surprise
Reviewed By: polar73 on Friday, June 27, 2008 @ 07:48:51 PM
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Now another year later after the last review, I did this hike sometime late May, early June 2008. There were a couple of freak snowstorms this spring so there were lots of snow even before we got to the lake. We were actually heading to another hike, by name I can't remember now, but we stopped off early as we saw cars parked here. We looked at the sign and saw it was only 2 miles in so thought, what the heck, it's a little one, so no big deal. I can't remember the details but I do recall it being relatively gentle, an easy in, easy out. The lake and surrounding area was still covered in snow. Though the middle was not covered, the edges were enough that we couldn't tell whether the snow lay atop the lake or ground. I thought it remarkably pretty but that's because I think almost everything looks better and more majestic in snow.
Great for Dogs
Reviewed By: Christy on Monday, June 11, 2007 @ 07:23:15 PM
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Beautiful lake, trail has many roots and rocks protruding now after winter. Snow is gone but mud bogs here and there. Trail around the lake now is nice. Great waterfalls today. No mosquitoes yet. Easy distance and elevation gain, but more difficult because of trail terrain.
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